question about status

[TJandJR 69]

I read many posts as I'm patiently waiting through the k1 process. Still have a long wait ahead of us. I was just wondering, what's the difference between becoming a permanent resident and becoming a citizen. What are the pros and cons and if someone comes here to marry a us citizen do they have to give up citizenship in their home country? Do both of those status allow you to work in the US? Just curious.

[amykathleen2005 441]

You need to become a permanent resident first. If later on you want to be a citizen which includes voting in elections then you can apply after 3 years of marriage to a US citizen or 5 years in another category. Both have working rights.

[C-ma'am 684]

**Post moved from K1 to General Immigration Related Discussion

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

Whether or not you have to give up citizenship in your country of origin is really up to that country. The American government will not tell them that you've become a citizen. According to my husband, he loses his Danish citizenship by becoming an American as they do not respect dual citizenship rights. Yet, I am able to hold British and American citizenship. It really depends on the country.

[Xanax 349]

One extra big difference is once you are a US citizen you must file taxes with the IRS (is that who does it?) for the rest of your life no matter where you live.

[aaron2020 11,651]

I read many posts as I'm patiently waiting through the k1 process. Still have a long wait ahead of us. I was just wondering, what's the difference between becoming a permanent resident and becoming a citizen. What are the pros and cons and if someone comes here to marry a us citizen do they have to give up citizenship in their home country? No. Marriage to a US citizen does not change a person's citizenship. The non-US spouse does not get US citizenship based on marriage and keeps the citizenship of his or her country. Nothing changes. Citizenship does not change base solely on marriage. Do both of those status allow you to work in the US? Yes. US citizens can work in the US. Legal Permanent Residents can work in the US. Just curious.

Marriage to a US citizen does not change anyone's citizenship. Marrying a US citizen does not give you US citizenship, you will still be a citizen of your country.

Once you enter the US on your K-1 and get marry, you will need to file to adjust your status to a legal permanent resident (LPR). You cannot apply for US citizenship because you will not qualify.

As an LPR, you can legally work in the US.

For a foreign spouse to obtain US citizenship based on marriage to a US citizen, the foreign spouse must meet all three of these conditions; 1) be a permanent resident for 3 years, 2) be married to the US citizen spouse for 3 years, and 3) live with the US citizen spouse for 3 years. Only the last three years before filing for US citizenship counts.

You will not be a US citizen for at least 3-4 years based on marriage to a US citizen if you want it. The US allows dual citizenship - so you can have both if your country allows dual citizenship. If you don't want US citizenship, you can stay an LPR.